SMARTER BALANCED READY

Big Ideas for Implementation

To leverage the collective experience of Smarter Balanced members, we asked district staff what they have learned from implementing the assessment system.

Their experiences revealed that being “Smarter Balanced Ready” is more than test-preparation—it requires schools and districts to address an important shift to deeper learning in a comprehensive way through approaches such as assessment literacy, strong communications, and shifting curriculum and instruction to reach the depths of learning students require. The following big ideas provide examples of how districts addressed these important facets of readiness.
A group of educators gathered around a table.

Big Ideas for Implementation

  1. Students Benefit from Taking Interims
  2. Teachers Use Interim Assessment Data to Improve Instruction
  3. Adults Learn First, Then Help Students
  4. Using the Assessment System Is a Team Effort
  5. Sustainable Teams Continuously Improve
  6. Communicate Early and Often
  7. Transform Classroom Learning by Embracing Instructional Shifts
  8. Accessibility Resources Let Students Demonstrate Their Knowledge